Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church

The Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church in Seoul, South Korea, was founded by its Senior Pastor, Rev. Abraham Park Yoon-sik, who is the author of the world renowned "History of Redemption Series". It is located in Oryu-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul. Gimpo Airport is nearby. It was founded in 1964 and is one of the largest churches in South Korea.

The church is founded on the Word of God and emphasizes on teaching the Word of God from the Bible, and is well known for the numerous Bible study classes available for kids to adults. "Pyungkang" means peace and "Cheil" means first; so the name of the church in English means "Peace First Presbyterian Church".

The highly acclaimed Abraham Park Kenneth Vine Collection/Pyungkang Biblical Archaeological Museum is located at the entrance to the church.

The church also publishes the "Champyungan" or "True Peace" newsletter. It has a wide readership in Korea and it has been in circulation since 1980.

Church History: Important Milestones

November 1964 – The commencement of home service gathering with 4 members

September 1969 – The construction of Mount Zion Han-Dol Church

November 1971 – The change of church name to Il-Suk Church

April 1977 – The purchase of church site (Service at Yong-San Crown Athletic Center)

July 1977 – The change of church name to Dae-Sung Church, dedication of church

Apri 1979 – The purchase of Mount Sung-Wha Retreat Center

March 1985 – The purchase of Jehovah-jireh Retreat Center

April 1990 – The purchase of church site with the floor space of 60,100 pyeong

May 1992 – The church relocation service

November 1993 – The dedication service for the main sanctuary, the Moriah sanctuary at the present site.

January 1995 – The change of church name to PyungKang Cheil Presbyterian Church.

August 1997 – The assembly of commemoration for the world mission of 300-church breakthrough

1. Shiloh International Ministry

The Shiloh International Ministry caters to the English speaking community. It broadcasts its service on Sunday live in English language to members spread across the world in English speaking branch churches from all across the United States and Asia, including Japan, Indonesia and Singapore.

2. Retreat Sites

Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church has the following retreat site for church events:

Yeoju Conference Center: famous for its "Yeoju water", which is trucked to and available at the Seoul church. Many people after drinking "Yeoju water" have had various ailments cured. The picture gallery has a photo that shows Christians praying in a prayer cave at the Pyungkang Yeoju Conference Center retreat site. This is a place where the Church hold worship services, e.g. Thanksgiving and Book Launching services.

3. Christian Education

The church runs the PCA, the Pyungkang Christian Academy for grade school children within the church grounds. It also runs ULA, the Universal Language Academy, a language school that teaches English. It also has a seminary, the Presbyterian General Assembly Theological Seminary (PGATS). A new online distance learning seminary, the "Berit Distance Lifelong Education", headed by Rev. Philip Lee Seung Hyun, was set up in 2011.

4. Abraham Park Kenneth Vine Collection

(평강성서유물박물관:Pyeonggang Seongseo Bakmulgwan)

The Abraham Park Kenneth Vine Collection is a museum housing Biblical artifacts from the Biblical archaeologist, Dr. Kenneth Vine. He donated the artifacts to Rev. Abraham Park and together they set up a museum next to the church, just at the front gate of the church.

The collection size is about 2,000 Biblical artifacts. The artifacts include pottery, oil lamps, seals, swords, cosmetic jars and bottles belonging to the eras in the Bible. There is also a mummy on display. Other items of note include a life size remodel of a stone sarcophagus which, according to the bible, was used to contain the bones of Joseph and was subsequently carried by the Israelites during the Exodus and throughout the 40 year wilderness journey before being buried in Shechem (Canaan).

DeaconKang Dae Sung, member of the Korean boy-band, "Big Bang". Kang Dae Sung serves God as a deacon at Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church. The name "Dae Sung", meaning "loud voice" in Korean, was given to him by Rev. Abraham Park.

1 Kings 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.

* 2 Chronicles 3:1-2 (KJV)

2 Chronicles 3:1-2 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. 2 And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.

* The fourth year of Solomon's reign is 966 BC.

* According to the Bible, the year of the Exodus is 966 + 480 = 1446 BC. This is the early date for the Exodus.

* In which year was Abraham born?

* The author calculates Abraham's birth year using only the Bible.

The year of the Exodus is 1446 BC. The Israelites spent a total of 430 years in Egypt according to the Bible in (Exodus 12:40-41). Thus, Jacob and his family entered Egypt in the year 1876 BC (1446 + 430 = 1876).

When Jacob entered Egypt, Jacob told Pharoah he was 130 years old when Pharaoh asked had asked him his age (Genesis 47:9). Therefore, Jacob was born in the year 2006 BC (1876 + 130 = 2006).

Jacob was born when Isaac was 60 years old (Genesis 25:26). Therefore, Isaac was born in the year 2066 BC (2006 + 60= 2066).

Abraham had Isaac when he was 100 years old (Genesis 21:5). Therefore, Abraham was born in the year 2166 BC (2066 + 100 = 2166).

Rev. Abraham Park reveals not just facts and years from the Bible but the mysterious and profound providence of God hidden throughout the Bible. The Bible contains God's plan and work of redemption for the salvation of mankind from sin and death. The author explains the mysteries in the Bible which contain redemptive significance in a simple yet profound way, using only the Bible as the source of reference. May the readers of the History of Redemption Series books experience thanksgiving and give praise to our Triune God as they come to understand the love of God that is shown throughout the Bible!

7. About the Founder

Rev. Abraham Park Yoon-sik, D.Min., D.D., is the founder and Senior Pastor of Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church in Seoul, South Korea. His ministry spans over 50 years. He is the author of the History of Redemption Series of books. 6 out of 12 intended books have been published since October 2007 and the books have been translated into English, Chinese, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesia and Urdu. Rev. Park is well known for his sermons which can last more than 2 hours without any break. Rev. Park is known to pray daily for at least 2 hours and reads the Bible at least 3 hours each day, and this he has done without missing a day for the last 50 years of his ministry. He has read the Bible over 1800 times!

Biography

Born on May 17, 1928 in Sariwon, Hwang-he Province, Korea

Graduated from the Presbyterian General Assembly Theological University (B.A. in Biblical Studies)

Graduated from Kookmin University (B.A. in Business and Economy)

Graduated from the Presbyterian General Assembly Theological Seminary (M.Div.)

Former moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, Hap-dong Conservative

Author's conclusion from "The Covenant of the Torch":

Jesus Christ is the mystery of God (Col 1:27; 2:2; Eph 3:4). Our duty is to spread the abundance of glory of Jesus Christ to all the world. In season and out of season, we must persevere in the work to preach the Word of God (2 Tim 4:2; Eph 6:19).

The churches on this earth will face great persecution as they preach the Word of God. However, no matter how great the persecution, it is incomparable to the suffering on the Cross. We should live the remaining part of our lives according to the Apostle Paul's confession, in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions (Col 1:24). When we endure all sorts of suffering on behalf of the Gospel until the end, when we take part in Christ's afflictions with joy, the Spirit of glory will rest upon us (1 Pet 4:13-14).

There is nothing in this world that can hold back God's burning diligence to save His people from the sinful end time (Rom 8:35-39). We have hope while God's diligence bums strong within us. This hope is the blessed hope (Titus 2:13). This hope is hope without shame (Phi 1:20; Psalm 119:116) and hope that will not be cut off (Prov 23:18; 24:14). This hope is hope that strengthens as the suffering intensifies even as though all hope seems to be cut off (2 Cor 1:7-8). It is a steadfast hope that does not waver (Col 1:23). It is the living hope that helps us to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven through Jesus Christ, our only Savior (1 Pet 1:3-4).

I earnestly hope that the diligence of God and the flames of the covenant of the flaming torch burn with vigor throughout the remainder of our lives. May the burning encounter through the grace of redemption of Jesus Christ be continuous forever more. Hallelujah!